26 DECEMBER 1874, Page 16

POETRY.

CHRISTMAS DAY.

THE Christ is come, a God is born to-day!

A woman's arms enfold the wondrous Child, A woman's breast sustains the Undefiled; And simple folk hear the first Christmas lay, And hearing, haste to worship and to pray,

Trusting their flocks to angels on the wild,—

While Mary looked upon her Babe and smiled, Most bless'd of women on that morning grey !

So once again let the glad tale be told, Of love most human, yet of love divine.

Bring loyal gifts of frankincense and gold, And lay thy heart's best treasures on His shrine ; Bring Faith and Hope, but to these graces see Thou add'st man's noblest virtue,—Charity.

JOHN- DENNIS.